First-team stars plant trees for community orchard

11 December 2012 12:00pm

By Tom Parsons

Warriors first-team stars Paul Hodgson and Ed Shervington may be used to sowing the seeds for rugby success but they were working hard for a different cause recently as they visited the Worcestershire village of Harvington.

The two players helped tens of volunteers who were planting trees for a new community orchard in the village which will alleviate flooding in the area.

The orchard was the brainwave of a partnership between Harvington Parish Council, Wychavon District Council and the Harvington Trust, with support from the Environment Agency and DEFRA.

As well as tackling the flooding problem, the newly-planted trees will have fringe benefits in the shape of fruit for the school, a footpath that provides a circuit of the village and the restoration of an orchard that is a key part of local heritage.

After a morning of hard-work, Shervington said: "It's important for us as a club to show our support to community projects and the orchard will play a key role in the future of the village.

"It was nice to see so many people braving the cold - and it took our minds off our intense training schedule for a few hours."

Hodgson added: "Ed and I both enjoyed planting trees in Harvington and it will be good to see the orchard growing in the future."